How has being (becoming) a lpn changed your life?

notmanydaysoff · Nov 20, 2012

That you are working 2 jobs as a cna, and have gone back to school to earn your lpn is/should serve as an inspiration to the multitudes who feel that it is not necessary to work.

I have no brilliant words of wisdom for you, except that you should be darn proud of your efforts.

Your story is touching. You demonstrate perseverence and commitment. I applaud you.

As for how nursing has changed my life. this is a second career for me. I retired from my first career and went back to school in my mid-50s. Nursing has given me something new and exciting to do, scads of interesting things to learn, and exposure to a whole different work arena. Needless to say, I'm also meeting a totally different group of people (colleagues and patients).

To quote a Bob Dylan song, "...if you're not busy being born, you're busy dying...."

I wish you the best.

lovinlife11 · Nov 20, 2012

I love inspirational stories like this!! 4 months after i received my Rn degree my husband was diagnosed with ms and has not been able to work since. Life is fragile! Keep your chin up! Congrats on your accomplishments! Keep going for your Rn, once your recover from your Lpn!

pookyp, LPN · Nov 20, 2012

A little backstory. I am a single mom of three angels. We live in government housing I'm working as a cna until I take nclex. We are always one paycheck from being homeless and wi th out. I went back to school for my lpn to help with income. I'm barely making $500 biweekly and considering a second job to help make ends meet until I pass nclex (hopefully soon). I'm just curious. How did becoming a lpn change your life. Single moms, married moms. Dads too. I really need some inspiration. I'm sick of crying over the bills as my children sleep. I know I won't become rich but two jobs as a cna will equal one job as a lpn. I'm even planning on getting two jobs as a lpn to help with expenses and to help us move out of this hellish ghetto. Someone please help me

You are such a good mom. I applaud you. I'm a married mom and things get tough around here. And we only have 1 daughter.

I don't have a story yet, I'll be starting school next month, but a friend of mine came from her hometown, moved to my hometown and knew NO ONE. Was living with her grandmother with no job. Got up and decided she wanted to be a nurse. Got pregnant while in nursing school. Had baby one day and took her final the next day at school against docs orders. She graduated and now has another kid and recently bought a 3 bedroom house brand new. She came from NOTHING. She told me how she played with roaches in her house as a kid. Her and her sisters. Nursing changed her life. I wish you the best.

Ntheboat2 · Nov 20, 2012

I'm not a single mom anymore, but I've been there. It's a tough place to be! I agree if you could go to school, raise your kids, work as a CNA, and come this far....you can do just about anything! You should definitely consider going on for your RN. While you can make good money as an LPN, I think you would have much more financial security as an RN being as though you have children to support alone. I know....easier said than done, but it's do-able.

People told me (most my family told me, but I'm sure everyone else thought it) that I'd never finish college because I got pregnant before I was done. Not only did I finish, but I'm just now finishing up my 2nd bachelor's degree. I'm about to start my first RN job in a couple weeks and I'll be making literally about triple what I've gotten used to making. I worked in fast food mostly through college and then as a CNA when I decided to go back for nursing.

I can't really say how it will change my life, but I can imagine that not having to worry myself to death if something goes out on my car will be one change. I had a car repair bill one time when I was a single mom that added up to more than I had in the bank. Without my car, I couldn't get to work. Without being able to get to work, I couldn't get more money to fix my car. Not having any support from family or my child's father didn't help.

Not to mention, do you know how nice it will be not to have to answer to a housing authority or DHS worker? There's a lot of pride that comes with being self sufficient. People are quick to look at others who are in government housing or getting food stamps and say, "it must be nice." Those are people who have never been there. There's nothing nice about hoping nobody you know will see you in the grocery store or worrying that your kid will be made fun of because they get free lunch or because of where they live. I love giving my kid lunch money and not worrying that they're embarrassed about where they live, what they wear, or what I'm driving. I love it that when they talk about something they want for Christmas, even if it's not something I'm probably going to get, that it's actually a possibility!

Congrats on making it this far! Your kids will be proud of you. Don't stop now! It's going to make a big difference.

Aongroup1990, CNA · Nov 20, 2012

Honey just keep going take life one day at a time dont rush because you are already on your journey in god's gracious will. I too am struggling, but Im staying in school. Try to take time for yourself and keep your load not so heavy as far as school go part time, to rest a little. I want to become an lpn at ivy tech if the rn scheme doesnt work out but Im taking my time, and taking it one day at a time.

irisheyesRsmilin · Nov 20, 2012

I aplaud you hear work and deterination. You have changed not only your life, but those of your children. They now see that anything is possible and wont be living in the projects and underemployeed. Good job!

futurenurseOB · Nov 20, 2012

Thank you ladies so much. I am most definitely going back for my rn. I'm enrolling the day I pass nclex. I am confident that I will get there. But getting there is the struggle. I feel as if nclex I'd my ticket out of this hell hole and a further step towards being 100% self sufficient. Most days I am too exhausted after work and getting the kids fed and in bed that I can't imagine picking up the study book. But I must. I thank you for not pitying me.

Sincerely. Thank you all. You all are my inspiration

nursetiffany. · Nov 21, 2012

Amazing :) keep your head up!

Midwest4me · Nov 21, 2012

You've indeed shown tons of perseverance! Continue to keep your chin up and positive thoughts going. Since this economy is so poor, keep the CNA job(s) until you land an LPN job. Keep in mind, too, that most nurses don't land a day job right away so be prepared for night shift(but usually there is a shift differential for swing and night shifts which adds to the pay!) Continue on with RN schooling if possible. I've been an LPN for 27 years and wish I'd just continued with the RN programs I'd been accepted into instead of stopping at the LPN level. LPNs are limited in many ways and seem to be getting phased out.

KitkatPRN · Nov 21, 2012

I agree with what midwest said, keep your CNA job until you land an LPN job. I just graduated in Dec 2012 and was amazed how long it took all my classmates to find jobs.

I worked as a CNA for MANY years and being an LPN has most definately changed my life. I love having a better income, making a difference for the patients I care for (when I worked as a CNA I felt my ideas/input fell on "deaf" ears), its kinda fun being called the "nurse" ... he, he. I work LTC, which is what I love. The only part that I find challenging is keeping up with all the paperwork !!! Good luck to you ! Have you looked into Excelsior college online ? I'm doing my RN with them right now & hopefully will be an RN by May ! The only bad thing is you can't get financial aid.

pinkfluffybunny · Nov 21, 2012

I lived in Section 8 housing, which was income based. It was the best feeling in the world when they told me that I made to much to renew my lease.